Erica & Rich were married on an unusually hot and humid, crazily sunny October day. It suited their offbeat, slightly vintage style wedding...just like the chic 1950s short black & white print dress, antique brooch bouquet and sky high bright red peep toe pumps that Erica wore and the Casablanca style white jacketed tuxedo and Star Trek cufflinks Rich wore. The day was filled with their dearest friends and family, delicious food, and a roomful of board games for guests to enjoy. Let's not forget the fill in your own comic strip to celebrate their big day. :) Best of all was the terrific music that played for hours, inspiring everyone, young & old, to dance away the afternoon. It was a great day for a great couple. Here are some of our favorite pics!

P.S. Brian took most of the photos of the guys, and in several where I've combined images, like the "First Look" and parts of the wedding ceremony, it's a combination of both of our images, which is why they vary in style a little. It's so much fun having an amazing partner and husband all in one! :)

P.P.S. Don't forget to click on the horizontal images to enlarge them! :)

This letter & photo, on the reception table, has to be the coolest thing a bride & groom have ever done for us. :)

Hi! So, one wedding down, two to go. Everything must be caught up by the next wedding I shoot on 2/22 for Amanda & Tom. Well, at least all weddings. We're not going to count the normal shoots that definitely need editing. :) I am finally not a zombie anymore like I've been for the past few days. I'm currently working on Erica & Rich's feature for tomorrow's blog and excited to share it with you. They had such a fun and sweet wedding.

Most photographers I know (at least those who consider themselves natural light photogs as I do) really hate indoor photography. The evil yellow light, lurking shadows, low ceilings, painted walls that we can't bounce flashes off of very successfully. Using our nemesis, the flash. There are a few ways to overcome the icky yellow lighting IN camera. Most people customize their white balance. However, I often find that when shooting an event, the lighting is constantly changing (there can be uplighting, chandelier romantic ambient light, stark light, fluorescent light, etc.) or I'm going from room to room, and having to stop to customize the white balance is a little difficult. Last week I mentioned changing the camera setting to my personal favorite coloration, "Faithful". Well, since you can also customize your other settings, I actually do two things when I walk into my event. I take a few test shots when choosing what type of lighting (Tungsten is often recommended but I find it too cool and blue in tone for my purposes) and usually end up picking between "flash" and "fluorescent light". And after I've chosen that, I lower the saturation level...taking it down one or two pegs depending on my needs. I take one last test shot and find that my indoor colors are much closer to normal skin tone, not yellow OR blue, but flesh toned...which means I spend far less time in post production correcting my coloration.

That's my post for tech Tuesday...I hope it helps!

I'm photographing the adorable Otaizo little ones this weekend, working on pulling together some styled shoots for the rest of winter into early spring, and finishing up my piles of editing. And getting super excited over what lies ahead. :)

Happy Tuesday!McCall :)

Paula's fabulous ring on yet another cactus. Hey, I was having fun. ;)

Paula & Michael about to steal a kiss...Brian caught this photo of them at the Botanic Gardens and I love it! :)

Paige & Bobby on a snowy porch, posing for portraits during the Golden Hour. So perfect. :)

Aloha! I say that because it's 8 degrees in Virginia but I'm willing myself to Hawaii. Lucky for me I only have to feel the cold in small, blasting doses, when I open the front door to let the pups out into the yard. Even they are feeling it-normally wild horses can't get them out of the yard when they are on a mission to go. But these days they run out, skip their ritual "gotta pee/gotta poop" dances, and fly back inside. Then they run up the stairs and cuddle under the covers and blankets next to me before I even get back into bed! :)

Last week I talked about how you can look better in your photos through your stance/poses. I want to continue that by giving a few tips to models...or for those of you who just wanna look like one in your next photo session. :)

Posture itself is very important. In a photo, if you're standing up, you want to elongate your neck and spine as much as possible, as if there's an invisible thread on the top of your head, pulling you slightly upwards and keeping your entire body in one perfect line.

When sitting down, that rigid posture is just as important. Don't slump or slouch in your seat. In this position, you want your chin slightly pointed downward and your eyes meeting the camera directly. A second seated pose tip is leaning slightly forward for some photos, arching your back and neck towards the camera, letting the shoulders fall back in an exaggerated way. Eyes up to the sky or off to the side make for a great haughty "model" face. :)

Next week I'd like to share some images from past models of mine who have the perfect physical expression down...I find that showing rather than explaining is sometimes better in terms of understanding. :)

My crazy editing continues. I purposely booked only one gig this weekend, my second year in a row photographing a large holiday party for a terrific medical research company in DC. It'll be a great night since they really know how to throw a bash...it's like a wedding reception with a band, a DJ, dancing, prizes...everything but the bouquet toss! ;) So I'll be editing steadily tonight, tomorrow, Saturday for most of the day, and Sunday all day.

Some questions (since I missed Monday's blog!):

Inquiring minds want to know: if you could be any super hero out there, who would you be and why?

When you come to my page on Facebook, what do you look forward to most? What makes you specifically like or comment on something?

And on behalf of the missed post on High Tech Tuesday...

If you're using flash, find a diffuser that's perfect for your work aesthetic. You can make your own out of posterboard or paper...you can buy a mini softbox for $20...you can buy a small hard plastic diffuser on amazon.com or you can go with a Gary Fong diffuser, which looks like a giant diaphragm but creates a fill flash look that is warm & inviting. ;)

Paula & Michael, US Botanic Garden in January for their winter engagement shoot. :) (Incidentally, I was using a small speedlite here, a Canon 430EX, and a small plastic diffuser made by Fotodiox. ) :)

Damien holding his precious little girl. :)

Miss A posing (finally!) in her Cinderella coach bed. I told her that Cinderella sees my posts and that she'd want a photo. :)

The enchanting Kaitlyn. Her bridal shoot was interrupted 10 minutes into the session due to the 27 degree temperature and crazy high winds, but we still managed to take a few pics that did her justice. Can't wait for our make up styled shoot! :)

Yeah, remember those days where you used to yell "psych!" after saying something that you didn't actually mean? If not, I've dated myself. How about yelling "Not!"? Still no? Ok, well then I'm old and you'll just have to look it up on UrbanLegends.com. :)

I have been a bad little blogger. Mainly because I've been a good little editor. Editing hours on end, day after day, and trying to keep it together. It's overwhelming, but at least I love it. I adore editing. The creative process is incredibly rewarding.

Today is technically Wedding Wednesday. My wedding blog for Erica & Rich won't be ready until next week, and Paige & Bobby the week after that. So you'll just have to make do with a smorgasbord of pretty pics. I'm so blessed to have beautiful clients to grace the blog with, and I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Hoping to get back on track with my normal blog topics tomorrow, but don't hold me to that! I'll be in crazy editing mode until sometime in mid February. Wish me luck! ;)

Happy Wednesday!McCall :)

A sweet and hilarious sister moment. :)

Miss E being cradled by her beautiful mommy. :)

Miss A looking pretty in pink! :)

Paula's beautiful engagement ring, on a cactus. (Yup, I placed that ring very, very gently!) :)

Michael & Paula having bear fun at the US Botanic Gardens for their e-session. :)

Paige & Bobby, during their ceremony. Love the tiny bit of Christmas tree in the background...I love holiday time weddings! :)

So...I am busy up to my eyeballs. Literally. I have two editing deadlines that are threatening to drown me (I need to stop being such a perfectionist so I can crank out my sessions faster!), three shoots to prepare for this weekend, and a hip that feels broken. I don't have much in the way of photos to share today but rest assured, that will be remedied by next week, when I'm sharing so many photos you're going to hide my FB page! ;)

Tomorrow I am photographing superb area actress Sarah Scheiner for her new headshots, a real treat and honor for me. After that, my long awaited session with model Kaitlyn will get underway. Originally, we were doing an Ice Princess theme to follow up Brina's Snow Queen session, but that was when it was scheduled before Christmas. I've decided to keep the ethereal, whimsical feel of the shoot, but to make it a bridal portrait session. Now Kaitlyn is a teenager, a little young to be wearing bridal gowns but judging from the latest wedding magazines, those models keep getting younger & younger! I have a spectacular gown that I purchased for a ridiculously low sum a few months ago from a bridal boutique going out of business. The dress is satin, with a princess feel and incredible beadwork on the bodice and hem. It's delicate and very special, and I think Kaitlyn is just the right young lady to wear it. She's doing her own hair in an elaborate 'do with curls, and then heading over to Kara at Best Face Forward to create a very special, dreamy make up look that will be smashing. :)

On Sunday, I have the wonderful pleasure of photographing previous client & friend Rachelle's two darling daughters as well as their little family. The oldest girl just got a Cinderella pumpkin coach bed and it's amazing and I'm going to try to steal it. I'm fairly sure it won't fit into our little Prius, but if it's a MAGIC coach, it just might work. :)

That's all for now, friends. I am looking at this dreary and overcast day and really hoping that tomorrow is cool but sunny and non rainy as the forecast promises. There is nothing more exciting to me than bringing a vision I've had in my head for a while to life. I'm trying some new shooting and editing techniques to fit the look of Kaitlyn's shoot, and really excited about it. I'm already imagining all the ways to capture her lustrous dark hair, luminous green eyes and exquisite bone structure...I want to do it justice.

Oh...and in case you missed the post on my Facebook page yesterday...I started a little group called Crocheting for Cancer. The plan is to recruit as many people as possible willing to crochet/knit/quilt/whatever an afghan or hat for local cancer facilities, so that patients receiving chemotherapy can have something to keep them warm and feel a little better while they're there. Many bring their own blankets, but I've seen patients forget, or still not be warm enough even with their own. I thought if we could all just do a little something for others that wouldn't take too much time or money, the soul reward would be awesome. If you're interested, please shoot me an email: info@mccalldoylephotography.com

I leave you with some photos of recent shoots and hope that you all have a marvelous weekend.

Happy Friday!McCall :)

P.S. Don't forget you can click on the horizontal images to enlarge 'em. ;)

Paige, in her glorious gown, looking out the window into her bright, snowy wedding day. :)

Michael & Paula having a laugh...at the United States Botanic Garden. :)

Kimmie & Phillip had a beautiful, bright & sweet October wedding at the Swan Point Country Club in Maryland on October 12, 2013. Unfortunately, it poured the night before and rained all day of the wedding...until 20 minutes before the ceremony, when it suddenly stopped cold turkey and remained overcast but dry for the rest of the day! So they were able to fulfill their dream of having their ceremony outdoors. Of course, it was on the water, and it turned cold and very windy, but it still managed to be absolutely beautiful. Brian was with the gents at a local home and I photographed the ladies at the country club. The vibrant yellow sunflowers that Kimmie carried along with her bridesmaids (who were clad in simple, elegant short black dresses) really added a terrific pop of color to the day...and perfect for Phillip & his groomsmen, who popped on their own with bright yellow suspenders, boutonnieres and socks. :) Adding to the slightly vintage feel of the day was the rental of an amazing classic car that we had a LOT of fun photographing. We had to be quick with our portraits because of the weather, but I was thrilled that we got some time outside before heading indoors to party the night away. They had a very traditional reception, but the fun that was had by all really made it special. So much dancing, toasting, and smiles made it truly wonderful...we were so grateful to have been a part of it. :) Without further adieu, I present some of our favorite highlights from the big day! :)

How is everyone today? I've been really absent for the past week, editing meticulously for my darling clients. It's wonderful fun, since I love the editing process, but I do miss posting a lot of pics during the day and interacting with my clients. Today I wanted to talk about color in photography. When I first started out, I realized I could change my camera's color settings to reflect the type of photography I was doing (i.e. landscapes, portraits, black & white city scenes, etc.)...I'd read on more than one blog of a pro I admired that they always used "Standard" for everything. So without so much as experimenting to see what *I* thought, preferred, wanted...I changed my camera's setting to "Standard" and left it that way...for a year. Yup. Turned out that wasn't what I wanted at all...and when I found myself in the editing room regularly changing the color tones because they weren't what I'd seen in my mind's eye when I recalled the scene, it never occurred to me that I should change it internally so that it was what I wanted from the get go.

Pretty silly, right? It wasn't until I was bored on a long road trip enroute to a photo session that I started playing with the settings and photographing my purse as it sat on the dashboard in front of me. It was this bright, beautiful shade of turquoise, but as I photographed it on "Standard", it wasn't giving me the color that I actually saw. So I tried "Portrait". Still not quite right. Then "Landscapes"...prettier, but still no cigar. Well, then I turned the dial to "Faithful" and lo and behold...it was exactly the shade of turquoise that my eyes were registering! I decided that I would use that setting for my portrait session that afternoon. Well, it turns out that was exactly what I'd been missing all along! The colors were perfect, and I cut down a lot of time hand blending the colors in my digital darkroom! What a goose I was, creating all this extra work for myself for absolutely no good reason.The message of this story is twofold. One, never rely on what someone else thinks is the best setting for YOUR images. They have a different aesthetic and process, and what works for them may not work for you. Two, and more important, is know thine camera. If you're spending a lot of time doing post processing on something as basic as color, then recognize that you need to start getting the image you want in camera first. And that means trying different settings, and practicing practicing practicing until you get into the groove that's right for you.Thanks for listening! Please remember this is the day to ask all your photography-related questions. And always know that you can email me questions or contact me on Facebook if you're seeking advice/tips/help.I hope you're having a grand week so far. Shout out to my sweet friend Mandy, who is having a tough week and could use a hug...so here it is. Feel my virtual arms wrapping around you and squeezing SO TIGHT! :) Love you, girlie girl! :)

Happy Tuesday,McCall :)

Handsome Michael & Lovely Paula at the US Botanic Gardens for their e-session. :)

The amazing, marvelous, and stunning Erica & Rich, whose vintage fab wedding you'll be seeing on the blog in a few weeks! Dancing fools! ;)

How was everyone's weekend? It was pretty rainy here in the DC area. Enough to need to reschedule a shoot with Shawn and his family but fear not, we'll be able to make that up in a few weeks. :) It also gave us time to meet with a potential wedding client, who after our meeting became actual wedding clients! We are so excited to photograph their June nuptials.

On Sunday Brian had to go into the office for a few hours, so I stayed in bed and tried to dig myself out of my editing hole little by little. It was actually a great day...Brian came home and went on a lengthy hike, taking several gorgeous nature pics while he was out and then sharing them with me like a little kid. :) They are so lovely-he was experimenting with backlighting and shooting at extremely wide apertures and the results were excellent. You should check out his blog this week...he'll be sharing a few sneak peeks from that hike. The weather was perfect, btw...50 degrees and sunny. Today's pretty nice too with a high near 60. Our area of the country is so weird-last week it's 10 degrees and this week it's 60...all in January. :)

This week will be spent-you guessed it!-editing more. I sent out contracts to a few clients, ordered online groceries (Peapod rocks!), and worked on my business accounting for 2014, which will help me be even more organized this year.

So my questions for you today:

1. What is the one tv show you just can't miss each week?

2. What has been your favorite styled shoot of mine over the last two years?

3. What was your favorite dress at the Golden Globes last night? Mine was the "fairytale mermaid" gown worn by the stunning Jenna Dewan-Tatum...white classic strapless dress covered in ornate black lace. It was a standout.

This weekend I am super excited to photograph the lovely & talented Sarah's headshots, followed by photographing gorgeous Kaitlyn in a whimsical styled bridal shoot, and on Sunday, photographing Rachelle & Damien's darling little girls. Life doesn't get any better. :)

So being a good photographer is important, but having pretty things to photograph is kind of integral to making the photos look good :) And what is a wedding without great music to dance to? I've realized how very important vendors are to the wedding process. Getting to know them behind the scenes and bonding in our vendorship, I feel confident in recommending the people you're going to read about.

The florists who create those unforgettable bouquets...the baker artists who make spectacular and delicious cakes that set the tone of the wedding...the designers who create the beautiful gowns and jewelry and veils and hairpieces that complete the bride and her attendants. The hair & make up artists who put the finishing touches and change a beautiful lady into a photo ready model. And let's not forget the DJs and the bands who can transport a sedate, traditional wedding into an amazing, entertaining evening.

I've had the pleasure of working with some really wonderful people in the DC Metro Area over the last couple of years, and today's blog is to recognize them. In fact, every Friday I would like to give a shout out to at least one vendor. Small businesses should work together to help each other out whenever possible. :)

HAIR & MAKE UP

I have never been shy of expressing my love for the wonderful and amazing team of Best Face Forward. These talented ladies will travel to you and your wedding party and turn everyone into a picture perfect model. Their rates are reasonable and they could not be more professional, efficient, and fun. I recommend them to every bride & groom I have as well as for each one of my Feel Beautiful shoots. They make my editing life so much easier by creating flawless faces of light reflecting make up. They are also skin experts so don't hesitate to discuss your skin needs with them during your session. I don't just use them professionally, I use them personally...their make up, their skin products, and they also do my hair & make up for my weddings to keep me looking polished & professional during my often 12 hour wedding days. :) I recommend them to family & friends and basically anyone who will listen to me describing their awesomeness. :) Check out their Facebook page, too! Some highlights of their work with me include 80s bride, the infamous pin up calendar, the Mad Men styled shoot, and The Snow Queen's frosty persona.

I also really enjoyed the style team at Statements the Salon in Woodbridge, VA. They worked seamlessly with multiple stylists to create special looks for each one of the 7 bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and of course, the bride herself. Their salon is bright and airy, they use high end products, and they were personable and helpful. If you're looking for a traditional, chic salon to create beautiful looks for you on your big day, they are a terrific option.

DJS:

I was plenty surprised to meet Norm Voss of Voss DJ at Paige & Bobby's wedding this January. Normally, when there's a DJ/live singer, the live portion of the singing isn't so hot. I'm especially picky as I'm an opera singer with a degree in music. Norm was WONDERFUL. He has a great look and personality, kept the dance floor positively crowded all night long, and had a terrific voice that fit the songs he chose perfectly. (Brian's pic of Norm in action is at the bottom of the blog!) :)For OUR wedding DJ, we chose Carl Nubile, who has been a DJ and live singer for ages. You couldn't ask for a better, more charming guy. He is dependable, experienced, fun, and intuitive as well as talented. He has that old school Sinatra-esque charisma (and vocals) and is wonderful to have in your wedding corner. At Jai n Ro's September wedding, which definitely had a club vibe, their DJ Loud Tone had his finger on the pulse of the evening. He provided not only great music but awesome and fun lighting that transformed the ballroom into a night club.ACCESSORIES:A woman who has been invaluable to me for my styled shoots is the incomparable Ann of Ann Leslie Designs. She creates the most gorgeous head/hair pieces for anyone stylish. Veils and tiaras and ornate combs for brides, birdcage veils & fascinators, vintage pillbox hats and headbands. Just a tremendous talent and a wonderful lady. Her work is also featured in the pin up calendar, the Mad Men shoot, Rhiannon the Welsh Goddess, and my absolute favorite, The Red Shoes ballet shoot.If you've ever seen my styled shoots, and paid close attention to the bracelets, you'll find my deep love for Lindsay of Everistta in NY within. She creates these amazing heirloom brooch bracelets that every bride would want, plus custom pieces for the wedding parties. I personally wear her "skinny" bracelets in my signature colors and often give them as gifts to brides, friends & family. Her items are very unusual and special, and she's so efficient and terrific, especially when it comes to shipping your pieces out when you need them. Check out her work for my 80s shoot and the pin up shoot (her to die for heirloom bracelet is worn by Miss November!) as well as the Mad Men shoot. :)

CAKES:Gateau recently won a Wedding Wire Couples Choice award. You haven't lived until you've seen one of their spectacular designs-they do things with florals, ruffles, crystals, and other materials that are absolutely exquisite. I am convinced that Lora, the owner, can do ANYTHING. She is a true artist, and even better...her cakes taste scrumptious! :) I'm not a chocolate fan, and she pretty much converted me after just a bite of one of her chocolate cupcakes. :)

Evan at Sweets by E is also quite the artist, creating whimsical and adorable cakes that also taste moist and light and memorable. She also has a kind & laid back personality that will really appeal to a lot of couples. She created a beautiful top layer cake and platters of cupcakes for Katie & Mike's charming wedding at Bristow Manor Country Club. At Paige & Bobby's wedding, I did not taste the cake from The Icing, but I can admit to being absolutely blown away by the design. At first glance, it was a simple white tiered cake. Upon closer inspection, the intricate lace/crochet work was reminiscent of the bride's gorgeous gown. The cake was a mixture of pink champagne and chocolate truffle and I heard nothing but praise from the guests. (Pic at the bottom of the blog!)

MISC:

Last but not least...if you're looking for a little something unique for your wedding, consider balloon art. This is not your kiddie's birthday party. Evelyn & David Cannon of Bella Flair make magic with their balloons...creating archways, bouquets, larger than life replicas of characters, etc. for weddings & events. It really adds a whimsical air and fun to any special occasion. They did the balloon art for my styled 80s pop princess shoot last year and I was blown away.And that wraps up my vendor love for this week. If you're interested in being featured, please contact me at info@mccalldoylephotography.com so we can arrange working together for a styled shoot and I can see your talent first hand! :) I am definitely on the lookout for a FLORIST willing to work with me to create bouquets/head garlands and other items for various styled shoots in exchange for publicity and photos for your portfolio/website/social media. :)

This weekend will be an easy one. Tomorrow I get to photograph sweetheart Shawn for his headshots, social media shots, and website material. Then we're meeting new potential wedding clients at a local place in Rockville. Sunday I am off to help get caught up on the editing hole I have dug for myself...it's a doozy! I am so excited for the photo shoots and weddings on the horizon. Each one is so unique. For my styled shoots this year, I have an interesting array of themes...Roaring 20s flapper girls, grunge glam classical musicians, whimsical bridal, a play on the hit tv show Once Upon a Time, Anne of Green Gables (the beloved series from my childhood), and my most challenging project to date-creating replicas of amazing John Waterhouse paintings. I have a series of gorgeous models that I think will bring each work of art to life in a special way.

Happy Friday & Have a Beautiful Weekend!McCall :)

Pink champagne & chocolate truffle cake by The Icing in Stafford, VA.

Norm Voss of Voss DJ in DC. Photo credit: Brian Doyle

Putting the finishing touches on Paige's hair and make up at Statements the Salon in Woodbridge, VA. She had a fabulous half up/half down do with rosette curls, subtle matte makeup, and wore her mom's stunning antique lace veil. :)

Anyone who has ever had a session with me can testify to the fact that I say "Chin down!" more than just about anything else. :) It seems counter-intuitive to put your chin down if you're trying to avoid a double chin but trust me...you want to put your chin down. Nothing's worse than having a chin pointed upwards...it looks award and uncomfortable, and if you have a little extra skin under there, it's going to showcase it.

Almost everyone wants to look slimmer in their photos. So first rule of business is to put that chin down. Not so that it touches your chest, obviously...just a slight angle downward. And if you're a photog who knows what you're doing, you'll avoid for the most part photographing people head on or worse, from below. I try to angle my camera just slightly above so that I'm shooting downward whenever I can...it's the most flattering.Another thing you can do is angle your body slightly to the side, not quite profile but not full on, either. I'm sure you've seen a thousand young girls on FB posing with one hand on their hip...it's because they know the secret that by accentuating that hip, it takes the focus off of problem areas and gives the illusion of a better figure. Positioning your legs so that the one closest to the camera is slightly drawn up and bent (with your foot cocked up as well) in that half profile position will also make you look a little taller and slimmer.

Leaning against a fence with only part of your weight against it is helpful and gives you the feeling that you have some support. Don't squish your arms to the sides of your body. I often will tell my models to put a hand out to the side to give a little motion to their photo. Don't be afraid to move a bit in your shots, dance a little...it breaks the ice and gives your arms and legs a little something to do. :) A little booty tooch never hurt anyone, either. :)If you're self conscious and hate photos, don't hide yourself in the back. It's true that by being on the end, you're a little more exposed...but if you're in a group, get yourself between people. You don't have to be in the center, but between two people definitely helps you feel less exposed and less self conscious.

If you're posing solo, again, using the tips above will help you look your best. Also, what you wear plays a crucial role in how you'll look in your final pic. Don't wear all black! It's true that black is chic and gives the illusion of being smaller, but it's also a little on the boring side. What I recommend is wearing a darker color (or black if you must) on the largest half of your body, and then a really great color that flatters your coloring on the other half. Wearing a great scarf or large statement necklace will draw attention up to your face, which is exactly where you want it! :)

Wear clothes that fit...nothing too loose or too tight. Make sure you're comfortable in the outfits you have chosen for your photo shoot...if you feel comfy, you'll look good.I hope these tips help! I'll do a more in depth blog in the future on what to wear for photo shoots since that's a common question I get, but for now, enjoy these little tidbits of useful info. :)